SEVENTEEN MORE PEOPLE have died on Irish roads so far this year compared with the same period last year, as gardaí confirmed scores of arrests for drink and drug-driving during the Christmas road safety operation.

According to the latest figures, 184 people have been killed in road traffic collisions to date in 2025, compared with 167 at the same point in 2024.

The figures were released as gardaí continue a road traffic enforcement operation over the Christmas period, which began on 1 December and will run until 5 January.

During the third week of the operation last week, six people died on Irish roads and 13 serious collisions were recorded, resulting in a number of life-threatening injuries.

Over that seven-day period, gardaí carried out more than 2,000 checkpoints nationwide, including drink and drug testing checkpoints and high-visibility patrols.

Gardaí pictured during a road safety operation in Chapelizod today. Rolling News Rolling News

A total of 170 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Speeding also remained a major focus of enforcement, with more than 5,300 drivers detected for speeding offences by gardaí, static safety cameras and mobile camera vans.

Among the highest speeds recorded were a motorist travelling 122km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N15 in Oola, Co Limerick, and another driver caught doing 144km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R239 in Fahan, Co Donegal.

More than 650 vehicles were seized by gardaí over the past week for a range of road offences.

Gardaí also issued approximately 436 fixed charge notices for mobile phone use while driving, along with 81 notices for seatbelt offences.

Breakdown figures show that of the 184 people killed on Irish roads so far this year, 74 were drivers, 43 were pedestrians, 30 were motorcyclists, 20 were passengers, 14 were pedal cyclists, two were e-scooter users and one was a pillion (the back seat of a motorbike) passenger or classified as “other”.

Gardaí warned that the Christmas and New Year period is one of the busiest and most dangerous times on Irish roads, with increased traffic volumes, social gatherings and poor weather conditions contributing to higher risk.

This year’s road safety appeal is focused on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as speeding and driver distraction.

Gardaí are urging all road users to slow down, give their full attention to driving, and make alternative arrangements if consuming alcohol or drugs.

Anyone travelling over the festive period is being asked to take extra care and to remember that enforcement operations will continue nationwide into early January.